Oh Hi: 2013 Dodge Dart

The all-new Dodge Dart was scheduled to be revealed at the Detroit Auto Show, however images and a preview video of Dodge’s new small sedan has been released.

Since this is not an official reveal, details are sketchy but rumours have it that either a 1.4 litre, 2.0 litre, or a 2.4 litre engine will find itself under the hood. It’s clear that there will be more than one engine option as an R/T version is expected to bow in the not too distant future.

It’s clear from the interior shots that a 6-speed manual will be available, but what’s unclear is whether the automatic option will be a 6-speed or a rumoured 9-speed automatic. Yes, you read that right, Chrysler is apparently working on a 9-speed auto. If it were my money, I’d wager that any intro of a 9-speed would find it’s way onto more premium models.

With that said, one of the main goals of the Dart’s development was to make it as fuel efficient as possible, so perhaps a 9-speed auto might be plausible. The Dart is supposed to be fairly light weigh as well. The result is an expected fuel efficiency rating of 6 L/100 kms combined.

One thing that is clear is this is not a successor for the Caliber, which has recently gotten the axe. Dodge says the Caliber is a hatchback and the Dart is a sedan, so therefore it can’t be a replacement. Um, okay.